The Tyrant's Pet

Miguel and Dexter already had their eyes on each other. They were prepared for a duel, fighting for what they believed. However, just as they disappeared from their vantage point, heading to have a head-to-head battle, both of them suddenly leaped back.

CLANG!

Miguel and Dexter didn’t see the two figures that suddenly appeared between them. They only felt the danger the two carried, repelling them to stand away from their way. When Dexter and Miguel landed several steps from their initial vantage point, they could finally focus on the two people that interrupted their battle. 

Dexter furrowed his brows. “Conan?”

“Leviticus.” Miguel frowned as he recognized London and then Conan. “What are you two doing? Interrupting our duel with yours?”

Conan and London appeared at the same time. Thus, everyone assumed they were already having a round before coming into the great hall. Little did everyone know, London and Conan might have appeared at the same time. However, they only clashed swords now. 

“What do you think you’re doing, Your Highness?” London smiled, ignoring the rattle of his sword against Conan. 

“It should me be asking, London Leviticus. What the hell do you think you’re planning to do?”

“I was… trying to stop Marquess Vandran and Count Miguel, obviously.”

“Stop them by attacking the Marquess?” Conan snickered, ignoring everyone around as his sole focus was on London. 

“I think you got it wrong.”

“I doubt.” A glint flickered across Conan’s eyes, using more of his strength to push London back. “How dare you interfere with a man’s battle, huh? Should I teach you proper etiquette? Your House seemed to have missed a lot of classes.”

London chortled. “Your Highness, I am interfering because you and I know he doesn’t stand a chance.”

“Even so.” Coldness dominated Conan’s face. “A man had chosen this duel. Whether this may be his grave is his decision. No one had the right to interfere and tarnish a man’s pride.”

“Was it truly about pride, Your Highness?”

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“Just which side is he on?” wondered Marsella, cocking her head to the side. 

CLANG!

London and Conan shoved their swords with equal force and might, resulting in making the two of them fly away. Conan immediately took his stance, wiping his cheek with the back of his first. Meanwhile, London simply flipped his long hair to the side. 

“Miguel. Dueling the Marquess right now isn’t your priority.” Taking advantage of the interference, Giselle spoke again. She had her head turned in Miguel’s direction, eyes still closed. “Do not allow your emotions to get the better of you. They already delayed the ceremony enough; we cannot afford to lose more time.”

Miguel hissed but didn’t refute. 

“Once we finish, I’ll make sure to have your head.” Miguel pointed his sword at Dexter again. “You can run as fast as far away as possible, but I assure you. I’ll chase you to the ends of the world.”

“You don’t have to wait until then since I won’t let you proceed with your ceremony, anyway.” Dexter took a step, prepared to stop anyone who would try to continue whatever ceremony they were planning to execute. 

“What an annoying brat.” Miguel hissed again, stomping a step forward.

“I think almost everyone is gathered here!” Marsella clapped happily. “Now, this is what you call a fun night!”

“Lord Leviticus, does this mean you’re siding with them?” this time, Fabian also chimed in since the tension in the great hall continuously rose. 

“I side with no one.” London pressed his lips into a thin line before shifting his eyes in Conan’s direction. “I am here to stop the unnecessary battle. But it seemed it’ll be hard to exercise my good purpose with someone out here whose eyes were on me. Your Highness, do not tell me you’ve fallen in love with me?”

“Hey! What nonsense is going on with your head?!” Conan’s face instantly turned red, disgusted at London’s teasing. “What sort of slander are you spewing now, eh?! Aren’t you ashamed?!”

“Pfft — but his late Majesty Maximus IV fell for me. Since you two are brothers, there is a high possibility you have the same preference.”

“Shut up!!!” Conan gasped, almost curling his fingers the more he listened to London’s ridiculous hypothesis. “Take that back, you pervert!”

Conan threw a huge fit, his loud voice echoing so loud Marsella couldn’t help but tug her earlobes. It was obvious London was simply teasing him, but Conan’s nose was flaring. 

“Is he dumb or what?” Marsella couldn’t help but scrunch her nose, but not surprised. She spent a few months in the Haimirich Empire and had somehow grown used to the people there. 

Conan was just being Conan. 

Marsella breathed out, casually scanning her surrounding. From Aries’s side were Dexter, Conan, Fabian, and her, obviously. Even though each of them was a capable fighter, their opponents were not to be underestimated. 

“As much as I hate to admit it,” she murmured, shifting her eyes to their current enemies. 

Aside from the other members of the Raven, the key players from the opposing party were Miguel and Giselle. Those two were powerful enough to take two opponents each at the same time. With London Leviticus on their side, their forces brought their power to a whole new level. 

‘Ram cannot move right now and that maid over there will just get in the way.’Marsella pressed her lips into a thin line, thinking of strategic ways for how this battle would proceed. ‘If their priority is to continue this so-called ceremony, then that means Giselle wouldn’t fight just yet. That will give us an advantage.’

The air was still as if everyone, just like Marsella, were weighing the pros and cons once a battle broke. Each side didn’t lower their guards, admitting the capabilities of their opponents and knowing this would be a stalemate even before anything could start.

“Giselle.” After a prolonged silence, Aries spoke calmly. “You know full well that time is not in your favor.”

Her lips curled up into a smirk. “Right now, the people in here were in equal match. But do not forget… that man has yet arrived.”